Symlin is an injectable drug used in the treatment of both type I and type II diabetes. A multi-tasking drug, it lowers blood sugar in three ways: it reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver, it reduces the rate at which food moves through your intestines (preventing a spike in your insulin levels) and it controls your appetite by creating a feeling of fullness, decreasing the amount of food you eat. Symlin is also accompanied by many side effects.
Frequently Occurring
Frequently occurring side effects may not occur with every patient; when they do, they generally do not pose any real health risk and subside over time. Side effects you are most likely to encounter are nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, joint pain and a sore throat. The sore throat may be a result of unexplained coughing, another common side effect. A loss of appetite is to be expected as well, since Symlin works in part by creating a feeling of fullness. Vomiting may occur, and you may suffer from fatigue and dizziness.
High Blood Sugar
Considered a serious side effect and one that should reported immediately to your doctor, high blood sugar may still occur even when taking Symlin. If this occurs, you may need an adjustment in your dosage so that Symlin works effectively for you. Signs of high blood sugar include an increase in hunger, urination and thirst. You may also suffer from extreme fatigue, severe bouts of nausea and/or vomiting, find that your vision is blurry or become short of breath.
Low Blood Sugar
Again, low blood sugar could be an indication that your dose of Symlin needs to be adjusted. However, if your blood sugar drops too low, you can be in serious danger and need to contact your physician right away. Indications of low blood sugar include profuse sweating, an increase in hunger, cold sweats and a change in your behavior, such as sudden irritability. Problems speaking and confusion are two more signs to watch for, as are shakiness, dizziness and blurred vision. Low blood sugar can also result in the onset of seizures.
Combine Drugs Carefully
Certain drugs, when taken with Symlin, can result in an increase or decrease of your blood sugar levels. These interactions may result in the above-mentioned side effects. According to Drugs.com, medications that can cause high blood sugar when taken with Symlin include diruetics, thyroid medications, seizure medications, steroids, birth control pills and diet pills. Asthma medications may also have an adverse effect on your blood sugar.
Medications that may cause your blood sugar to dip too low include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, sulfa drugs, beta-blockers, aspirin and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).
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